Rim width range and optimal value for 32mm GB Cypres EL and Compass Stampede Pass EL?

[Rod Holland]

I'm starting a bike build project for a 700c light touring/rando bike, based on a Rawland Nordavinden frameset and Grand Bois Cypres Extra Leger tires (32mm, more or less, curing in a dark closet); I expect to swap in Compass Stampede Pass Extralights when the Cypres useful life ends, but in the meantime assume the two tires are interchangeable for purposes of the build. This bike will get the sort of mixed-terrain/all-roads use that has become the norm for many. It's a relatively light, flexible steel frame, with fork rake that gives it a low-trail geometry, and all-in-all should be a good fit with the Extra Legerité of the tires.

I'm trying to spec wheels for it that are strong enough so that I don't have to think twice about taking it anyplace I know the tires themselves will handle (a pretty broad range of conditions, if my prior experience with the tires are any indicator). My starting point is Alex Adventurers (24.2mm, 520g), which I've got on another bike, and rode for 1000+ miles with GB Cypres ELs last year, before swapping them out for a pair of the 38mm Barlow Pass tires (love 'em) this year. They were plenty strong for the purpose, and really perked up with the Cypres. While losing a few grams might be desirable, I'm more likely to choose strength/durability over weight in the choice of rims. 

 I understand that folks have successfully run Cypres on somewhat narrower rims (21mm, 23mm). My question is: what's the practical/prudent upper bound for rim width for these tires? One of my rim options is 27.5mm (Sun Rhyno Lite): would that work at all? would the broader, shallower aspect ratio of the tires on such a wide rim increase the chance of pinch flats? Conversely, if anyone has used the Cypres with Velocity Dyads (24mm, 480g, somewhat different cross-section), I'd appreciate hearing how that went.

Seeking your opinions or, better yet, war stories about this.

rod

[David G.]

Take a look at the Velocity Aileron if you are using disk brakes.  I'm guessing that you won't be...

[John Hawrylak]

I used Mavic A319 rims, 36 hole.   25 mm width   Use with 700x32 Pasela's,   Tires measure 32 to 3 mm on the rims at 65 to 80 psig.

John Hawrylak

Woodstown NJ